Leek: cultivation, beneficial properties

Asia is considered the homeland of leeks, then it spread throughout the Mediterranean and from there all over the world. Now it is very popular, although few grow leeks in their summer cottages, considering that it is difficult and making a choice in favor of onions or onions. In this article, we will talk about the fact that growing leeks is not difficult, and in terms of the content of vitamins and benefits, it is in no way inferior to its counterparts.

Leeks: Benefits

To begin with, I will provide a few facts that show the advantage of leeks over onions. Firstly, the leek does not suffer from powdery mildew, it has immunity. While onions, especially in a rainy summer, often suffer from this disease, which negatively affects the quality and storage of the crop. Secondly, the content of vitamin C in the leek is 10 times more, it can be stored together with the leaves, and during storage the amount of nutrients in the stem only increases (they flow there from the leaves). Thirdly, leek has a milder taste and does not leave behind an unpleasant onion smell, which is why it is sometimes called “noble onion”. Eating leeks improves the functioning of the digestive system, helps with kidney disease, obesity, has a beneficial effect on the liver, and improves appetite. Well, you can also say about a large number of useful trace elements, B vitamins, glucose and other sugars - all these are arguments in favor of growing leek on your site. I am not urging you to give up onions, I suggest trying something new and diversifying your diet.

Leeks: cultivation and care

Leek is a perennial crop, but in the middle lane it is grown as an annual, seedling method. I want to warn you right away that most likely you will not get an onion of the same size at your summer cottage as in a store, the diameter of the leg will be smaller. But in terms of the content of nutrients, it will surpass any store product, and you will be sure of its environmental friendliness. You can sow seeds in the ground or grow seedlings. Based on my own experience, I will say that the first option is not very suitable for us - the onion grows, it has the smell and taste of leek, but it is very thin, does not at all resemble what we originally expected. But growing seedlings brings a more tangible result - rather plump leek legs are obtained, which are well stored in the refrigerator. So, let's start growing seedlings. It is necessary to take care of this already in February, since by the time of planting in the ground, the age of the seedlings should be 2-2.5 months. Disinfect the seeds in potassium permanganate and place the germination on a damp cotton cloth or cotton pad, remember to maintain moisture. As soon as the seeds hatch, plant them in pre-prepared soil, preferably in separate containers right away, so as not to injure the plants once again by transplanting. At room temperature, the seedlings should appear in about a week, after which it is recommended to lower the temperature to + 16 ... + 18 degrees and rearrange the seedlings in a place with diffused light - this will give the seedlings the opportunity to grow stronger, they will not stretch out in thin strings. After a month, the sprouts will get stronger enough, and you can move them to a lighter place.

Just remember to rotate the seedlings 180 degrees daily so that they develop evenly. A couple of weeks before transplanting into open ground, start hardening the seedlings, gradually increasing the time they spend in the air.Water it well the day before so as not to injure the roots during transplantation. You can plant leeks in the garden in May. Choose a place taking into account the rules of crop rotation, the best predecessors for leeks will be potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, all types of legumes and any cabbage. Before planting, shorten the foliage by about a third, this will give more strength to the roots and make the adaptation to the new place faster. Make the distance between rows at least 30 cm, between plants in a row about 13-15 cm. Plant the onion a couple of centimeters deeper than it grew in a pot. Further care will consist of weeding, watering and hilling. Leeks are very picky about watering, so water abundantly and regularly (of course, adjusted for weather and rainfall), mulch the soil if necessary so that moisture evaporates less. From about the middle of summer, start spudding the plants, this will help to get a longer bleached leg - in fact, for the sake of which everything was started. It is better to huddle after watering, it may eventually be necessary to add additional soil to the garden bed. As a top dressing, you can use the fertilizers Agricola for Onions or Agricola Vegetable, as well as organic matter - solutions of mullein or chicken droppings. Since in the first half of summer the leek grows very slowly, so that the space in the garden does not disappear, neighbors can be added to it - radishes, turnips, lettuce or onions, such a neighborhood will not harm any of them and will not slow down the development of crops.

Harvesting and storage

If the winter is not too harsh and snowy enough, then the leek is quite capable of overwintering and continuing to grow the next year. Alternatively, you can transplant some of the onions into the greenhouse and return them to the vegetable garden next summer. If you decide to harvest the entire crop, then this must be done before the onset of frost and in dry weather. Gently dig in the onion with a pitchfork and remove it from the ground. The roots must be cut off immediately, and the stems must be left in the garden to dry for 2-3 hours. Then carry out quality control, selecting only the largest and undamaged stems for long-term storage. The rest can be chopped up and either dried or frozen - both methods preserve both the flavor and all the nutrients of the leek. In both cases, the leek should be washed very thoroughly, chopped finely and either sent to the freezer in special bags, or dried at room temperature, in the oven, in an electric vegetable dryer and stored in glass jars. And large stems, selected earlier, can be stored in the basement, cellar or refrigerator. An interesting detail is that leeks can continue to grow after harvest. To do this, put it in a high container (tightly, several pieces nearby), on the bottom of which pour a mixture of sawdust, peat and sand. The layer should be small, just to cover the roots. Moisten this mixture slightly (and maintain moisture). If the temperature in the room is stably cool in the region of + 2 ... + 3 degrees, the leeks will continue to grow slowly, and may even survive until spring. Leeks will be an excellent addition to your favorite dishes, I assure you that you will appreciate its taste and undoubted benefits for the body. There is nothing difficult in growing it, it is enough just to plant seedlings on time and pay enough attention to hilling in the second half of summer. Be sure to try growing leeks and they won't disappoint you.